PixelJunk Raiders review – a colourful roguelike that falls disappointingly flat

At first, you’re having a fine old time.

PixelJunk Raiders’ combat, if a touch inelegant, is enjoyable enough, your colourful planetary exploration accompanied by the silky strains of otherworldly synth soundscapes. Jewels shimmer in the distance – their ruby glow is hard to miss, particularly at night – and you already hope that the crumbling columns jutting up into the sky over there will have some tasty treasure secreted amongst ruins.

PixelJunk Raiders reviewDeveloper: Q GamesPublisher: Google Availability: Out now on Stadia

Plus, you’re a rescuer, and who doesn’t want to be the hero that swoops in and saves a doomed civilisation from certain death? As the saviour here to liberate the trapped Tantallians, you’re such a welcome sight to the poor hostages that they’ll delight in your arrival by joyously waving their arms in the air.

Locating survivors isn’t particularly onerous, either. Most congregate in the citadels sprinkled across the planet Tantal (they’re called gloriously nonsensical things like Helplessly Uptight Child and Briskly Happy Advertising; and who wouldn’t want to spend a little time in Rapidly Different Answer?), while others can be found by following the smoky trail to their temporary camps in the desert.